Moving right along.

I got together with Kurt this weekend. After our equipment was finished exploding or otherwise malfunctioning and we dried our tears, we had a pretty successful rehearsal. Even though it was just the two of us, we ran through all the songs with vocals live (Insult Comic Dog, Blink, Hot Quiznos, Step Brothers, and Ride the Bus). While we were really running a few for the first time, they showed a lot of potential for live tracks; a lot of the vocals I had written but was unsure of previously really came to life with the full sound of live drums and lots of volume. Though a full on performance is still a while off (More songs need to be finished, then arranged for a group to perform them, then practice, then book a show, and then record an album?), I'm really getting excited to get the music out to people. As always, stay tuned.

Maybe Bomb?

After the first bomb scare in my former high school's history today, I wonder if the band name may keep me from performing there as an alumni with that group name, or at least advertising with it. "Maybe Bomb at KHS" posters will probably be considered in bad taste for a while.

And I really felt like it was a solid name...

What Day It Is

A bit more of a somber vibe on this guy. I started this one on the 15th and have been working on it on and off.

What Day It Is.

I worked on some lyrics/vocals for Spade Breaker today, and, oddly enough, it looks like the working title may very well have worked its way into the lyrics. At the moment, it looks like the they are a bit reminiscent of Roots of Rebellion's "Messenger" in that the lyrics are a prayer of sorts.

The Maybe Bomb project is coming more and more into focus. Next weekend I plan on dedicating some rehearsal time to working on vocal parts with Kurt. There has been more serious talk about getting studio time to track live drums.

West Gate has just completed some time in the studio and I may be doing some work on a remix for an EP after the album is released.

At the moment, there are five songs that have rough vocals done. I think I'm going to shoot for having no less than fifteen songs ready with vocals to record for the album, whether or not they all make it. I may even put some instrumentals in there.

This weekend I also worked with a new local band to help get them rolling with some ideas for vocals/lyrics. It was a blast. You will certainly be hearing more about these guys. Especially when they get a name for the group. They'll be playing at Struck Fest, a concert to benefit the family of former RoR and current West Gate bassist Rob Strucks's family, at the Kinnelon High School on February 5th.

In show news, the West Gate performance is right around the bend. January 31st at The Starland Ballroom. You 'll be very happy you went.

Maybe it's cold outside and you've got nobody to Bomb

Again, there was some rehearsal this weekend. I purchased a Presonus Firestudio and set it up with my mobile rig, which should complete it for the time being. The case now holds my MacBook Pro, a Furman power conditioner, the Firestudio, and a MOTU MIDI interface.

Kurt and I were talking about how awesome Maroon 5 was live right before I left. I mentioned how a lot of their stuff has a similar vibe of what I'm going for; it's dance and rock. He suggested I cover "Harder to Breathe."

I wasn't sure if I wanted to post this since I didn't actually write the song, but what the heck. It took less than a day and a half to record, really illustrating how it's not the recording process that takes time, by any means, but the writing process.

After trying to sing along with my original version in the car, I
decided it would be a good idea to drop the tuning two half-steps, so
that when I sing over it, it will be in a decent range. Damn you, Adam
Levine. Needless to say, I have not even bothered trying to put down rough vocals yet.

Even though the instrumentation is changed, it's really faithful to the original. I doubt I'll be changing the vocal part, so you can just imagine the original vocal line plopped right over my version and what's in my head will be in yours.

Whether or not I do anything with this, it was a fun exersize. I'd imagine this would turn a few heads at a live show, though.


Here's the instrumental.

Harder to Breathe.